Military

An idealistic young engineering graduate, torn from his dream career before it could begin to join the German army, finds himself assigned to the Russian front where he becomes aware of a strange affinity with the enemy. Having been recruited at the wrong end of the war, our antihero experiences mainly wounds and the humility of defeat but these become merely cruel rites of passage to manhood and wisdom. Youthful exuberance and a serendipitous turn of events result in his being taken prisoner of war after the Armistice, and ... read more

Marley and Me meets Bravo Two Zero in this page-turning memoir of a Marine rescuing dogs from Afghanistan. This is the remarkable true story of how one man saved the stray dogs of Afghanistan. In a remote outpost of Now Zad, in Helmand Province, Pen Farthing and his troup of young Royal Marines survive frequent engagements with the Taliban and forge links with the local community. Pen's tour of duty will change his life forever, but for entirely unexpected reasons ... Appalled by the horrors of a local dog fight, he intervenes to... read more

Many years after becoming the youngest person ever to be awarded the VC for attacking acompany of Panzer Grenadiers on his own - an action that proved a turning point in one of the major battles of the Second World War - John Kenneally made an extraordinary confession. The courageous hero of the Irish Guards, who had taken on a whole company single-handed was not, in fact, John Kenneally at all, but Leslie Jackson, the illegitimate son of Neville Blond and Gertrude Robinson (a 'high-class whore'), who had deserted his former regime... read more

Citizen soldiering has been part of our history since the first years of colonial settlement. From the early militias set up in the 1830s, primarily for internal security, right up to the current day, everyday men and women have been trained and ready to serve in the Boer War, the Great War, World War II and many other military engagements. The shape and purpose of the volunteer and territorial armies has changed over the years, but is marked throughout by bravery, adventure and initiative. This extensive and authoritative history ... read more

This book is the crowning achievement of a journey. A journey initiated more than twenty years ago when Enzo Casadio and Massimo Valli met for the first time, bringing together their real passion for and interest in the events of the Second World War. From that time onwards they have put together a great resource of knowledge and material, of experience as collaborators in historical publications, and as organisers of exhibitions which makes them today, without the shadow of a doubt, the leading experts in the extremely sp... read more

The author is Kiwi born, a Southlander by birth, who volunteered for army service overseas when the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force was formed to support Britain following Germany's aggressions in Europe. Britain declared war on September 3rd 1939. New Zealand soon indicated her support would be given. Just some of the more dramatic episodes when serving with the 20th infantry Battalion and subsequent Prisoner of War incarceration are noted here. The unusual meeting, courtship, engagement and marriage to ENSA stage artist Doree... read more

Between 1793 and 1805, Britain fought a series of naval battles against the new French Republic. In this text, Padfield throws controversial light on the battle tactics of the famous action at Camperdown, the Nile Copenhagen and Trafalgar to show just how unconventional they were.

DoP 2008, Nelson A4 / 170pp A biography of George Cook, member of the 1932 Olympic rowing eights. Cook volunteered early in World War Two, and went to Egypt where, on the Nile, in 1940 - he successfully stroked the New Zealand Eight. It was a sad loss when he was killed in action early in 1941, in Crete.

These two volumes bring together "many fragments of history, commencing with the POW's experiences at Prison Camp 57, Gruppignano". Before the Italian Armistace of September 1943, thousands of Kiwi and Australian soldiers were held in POW camps in Northern Italy. This is a detailed and fascinating account of the ANZAC involvement in WW2 in Northern Italy. What happened in northern Italy over the years from 1941 to 1945 affected the lives of thousands of New Zealand and Australian servicemen, caught up in the maelstrom of events ... read more

Maori form a significant proportion of the modern New Zealand Army, and Maori officers have achieved the very highest commands, their unique culture is deeply embedded in its tradition and daily routines; celebrated by Maori (indigenous) and pakeha (non-indigenous) soldiers alike. The exploits of the 28th (Maori) Battalion in WWll - peerless in attack - are well-remembered. Not so well known is the major Maori contribution to the Allied cause in the Great War. Maori were quick to respond in 1914. Over five times as many as the spec... read more

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As a 19-year old Black Watch conscript Tom Renouf's war began with some of the most vicious fighting of the conflict - against Himmler's fanatical 'Hitler Youth' SS Division. It ended with the capture of Himmler himself and Tom taking a trophy he still treasures - the Gestapo commander's watch. Seriously wounded and later decorated with a Military Medal for gallantry, Tom Renouf witnessed the death and maiming of countless of his teenage comrades and saw the survivors transformed into grizzled veterans. Tom Renouf draws on his own ... read more

The history of warfare and the history of medicine are closely intertwined. War has been an accelerator of advances in medical treatment and surgery. As modern weaponry became more destructive, medicine developed techniques and procedures to deal with the volume and nature of battlefield casualties. Preventative medicine has also increased the effectiveness of fighting forces through improvements in soldiers' health and disease resistance. This book is a collection of chapters by historians, medical practitioners and researchers, f... read more

This is a companion volume to our first book 'New Zealand Army Personal Equipment, 1910 -1945. In this book we have covered the uniforms and clothing that were worn by New Zealand soldiers in New Zealand and overseas between 1910 and 1945. Also included are some civilian clothing and auxiliary uniforms that were worn when undertaking work in connection with the war effort. The items that have been photographed or described include the vast majority of uniforms and clothing types worn by New Zealanders, however there are still many... read more

The Red Army had much to avenge when it finally reached the frontiers of the Reich in January 1945. Political instructors rammed home the message of Wehrmacht and SS brutality. The result was the most terrifying example of fire and sword ever known, with tanks crushing refugee columns under their tracks, mass rape, pillage and destruction. Hundreds of thousands of women and children froze to death or were massacred because Nazi Party chiefs, refusing to face defeat, had forbidden the evacuation of civilians. Over seven million fled... read more

Soldier, Sailor and Airman Too is a comprehensive history of the life and career of Group Captain A.B. Woodhall. His story provides a unique slice of British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Airforce history, spanning both World Wars and finishing in New Zealand. Not only can his story be read as a biography of an extremely accomplished and heroic figure, this book also provides an extensive historical insight into the myriad events he was involved in over this period of time. From beginnings that would be enough to deter most - being se... read more

A vivid, brutal and enthralling account of the Burma Campaign - one of the most punishing and hard-fought military adventures of World War Two. Often described as 'the forgotten war', the Burma Campaign was one of the most punishing and protracted military adventures of World War Two. It has become notorious for the ingenious tactics used by Britain, America and their allies on the one hand and the Japanese and their allies on the other, as well as for the atrocious conditions that had to be endured by both sides. Seasonal monso... read more

The story that McLynn tells is indeed an epic... McLynn's comprehensive and engrossing account. - Brian MacArthur, Literary Review

McLynn gives an honest, gruelling account of the longest most punishing campaign fought by the British during the Second World War. - Iain Finlayson, The Times

Anzacs on the Western Front: The Australian War Memorial Battlefield Guide is the definitive guide to the Western Front battlefields. Meticulously researched and written by the Head of Research at the Australian War Memorial, Dr. Peter Pedersen, this landmark publication guides readers chronologically through the battles in which Australians and new Zealanders fought on the Western Front from 1916-1918. Lavishly illustrated in vibrant colour, with fascinating images from the Australian War Memorial archive as well as new panoramic... read more

From surviving a horrific terrorist attack in Northern Ireland, to the violence of the Gulf War and an assault course of harrowing experiences in Iraq, Bosnia and Columbia, Major Bill Shaw, MBE had seen it all. But Bill's strength and courage was tested to its absolute limits when he was arrested for a crime he did not commit. Posted in Afghanistan after two years in Iraq, Bill was responsible for the safety of four hundred men in a full-scale danger zone in one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Bill had long accepted t... read more

At any given time, any number of the Royal Navy's 15 nuclear submarines lurk undetected in the world's oceans. Totally self-sufficient for months at a time, they lie in readiness to be deployed to listen, intercept, or attack wherever they may be needed. And should the UK be devastated by a nuclear strike, they might just be the last military force standing. Award-winning journalist Danny Danziger has been allowed unprecedented access to one of the attack class submarines of the 'silent service', joining the crew on operations for ... read more